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Corfu: where to stay and how to get there from Ireland

Corfu for families and couples: summer flights from Dublin, Shannon and Belfast, best months, sea temperatures, and which resort to book.

Updated Saturday 17 October 2026

Why go

Corfu sits off the north west coast of Greece, in the Ionian Sea. Olive groves and cypress trees cover much of the landscape, and the coast changes from long sandy beaches to small pebble coves.

Corfu Town is a highlight in itself. Its Old Town, with narrow Venetian-era lanes and two fortresses, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. With resorts for families, couples and party groups, most people can find a good fit.

Getting there from Ireland

Direct flights run in the summer season only:

  • Dublin: Aer Lingus and Ryanair, about 3 hours 40 minutes
  • Shannon: Ryanair, about 3 hours 45 minutes
  • Belfast International: TUI and easyJet, about 3 hours 40 minutes

The airport is only about 2 km south of Corfu Town, and buses run into the centre. Resorts on the east coast, like Dassia and Gouvia, are around 15 to 30 minutes away. The north coast resorts and Kavos in the south take about 45 to 60 minutes.

When to go

Air temperatures are long-term averages for Corfu Town from Wikipedia’s climate table, based on Greek national weather service data. Sea temperatures come from seatemperature.org.

  • Spring (April and May): highs of 19°C to 24°C. The sea warms from 16°C to 19°C. Good for walking and sightseeing.
  • Summer (June to August): highs of 28°C to 31°C. The sea reaches about 25°C to 26°C in July and August.
  • September: highs around 27°C, with the sea still at about 25°C. One of the best months for couples.
  • October: highs around 23°C and the sea near 22°C. Quieter as the season ends.
  • Winter: highs of about 14°C, with no direct flights from Ireland.

Where to stay

  • Dassia and Gouvia: sheltered east coast resorts with calm water and family hotels. Gouvia has a marina for boat trips.
  • Roda and Acharavi: low-key north coast resorts with long, flat sandy beaches, a good fit for families with young children.
  • Sidari: a livelier north coast resort, busy with families by day, close to the Canal d’Amour rock formations.
  • Kassiopi or Paleokastritsa: for couples. Kassiopi is a small harbour town with a castle ruin. Paleokastritsa is a set of small bays on the west coast with a monastery above.

Kavos, at the southern tip, is Corfu’s main nightlife resort and draws a young crowd. It is not aimed at families.

Good for

  • Families who want calm water on the east coast or flat sandy beaches in the north
  • Couples who want quieter bays and harbour evenings
  • A day in Corfu Town for culture and food
  • Groups of young adults heading to Kavos

The Achilleion, a palace built for Empress Elisabeth of Austria in 1889, is a short drive south of Corfu Town and now a museum.

Late deal tip

Corfu is a long island, and transfer times vary a lot. A cheap late deal in the far north or south can mean an hour on a coach after a long flight. If you are travelling with young kids, compare deals in Dassia and Gouvia first, as they are much closer to the airport.

Sources

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